In tropical climes there are certain times of day
When all the citizens retire
To take their clothes off and perspire
It's one of those rules that the greatest fools obey
Because the sun is far too sultry And one must avoid its ultry violet ray.
The natives grieve when the whitemen leave their huts
Because they're obviously, definitely nuts!

Mad dogs and the Englishmen go out in the midday sun.
The Japanese don't care to,
The Chinese wouldn't dare to.
Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one.
But Englishmen detest a siesta.
In the Philippines they have lovely screens
To protect you from the glare.
In the Malay States there are huts like plates
Which the Britishers won't wear.
At Twelve noon the natives swoon
And no further work is done.
But mad dogs and the Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see,
That though the English are effete,
They're quite imprevious to heat.
When the whiteman rides every natives hides in glee
Because the simple creatures hope he
Will impale his solar topee on a tree.
It seems such a shame when the English claim the earth
That they give rise to such hilarity and mirth.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.
The toughest Burnmese bandit
Can never understand it.
In Rangoon the heat of noon is just what the natives shun
They put their scotch or Rye down and lie down.
In a jungle town where the sun beats down
To the rage of man and beast,
The English gard of the English sahib
Merely gets a bit more creased.
In Bangkok at twelve o'clock
They foam at the mouth and run
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.
The smallest Malay rabbit
Deplores this foolish habbit.
In HongKong they strike a gong
And fire off a noonday gun
To reprimand each inmate who's in late.
In the mangrove swamps where the python romps
There is peace from twelve to two.
Even caribous lie around and snooze,
For there's nothing else to do.
In Bengal to move at all is seldom if ever done.
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.